Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Revolution in Yemen

Large parts of Yemen’s
capital Sanaa have been taken over by Houthi rebels. The leader of Houthi
insurgents, Abdel Malik al-Houthi, described the takeover as a “successful
revolution.” The rebels have taken over key government buildings in the
capital, including the country’s central bank, and several military bases.

Yemeni President Abed
Rabbo Mansour Hadi has signed a power-sharing agreement with the rebels, who
had called for the “corrupt” government to quit. Rebel leader al-Houti called
the agreement a “victory for all the people.” He said the accord will lead to
fuel price cuts and economic reforms.

Former longtime Yemeni
strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted from power amid popular Arab Spring
protests in 2011. Now the Houthi insurgents are moving against Islah Party
forces, the largest opposition party in the country, searching for and
arresting their leaders, to consolidate their position as the sole functioning
opposition force. Years of unrest following 2011 ouster of Saleh have also
contributed to the rise of Al Qaeda-affiliated militants in the country.

The Houthi tribesmen are
predominantly Zaidi Shia, who like the mainstream Shias believe in Imamate, but
otherwise are close to Sunni traditions of Islam, and unique to Yemen. Iran’s
Quds Force has actively supported the Houthi insurgents since their uprisings
against the government in 2011. The Islah (“Reform”) Party is a coalition of
Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, and their leader Mohammad
Qahtan is considered a moderate Islamist. The party, an unorthodox alliance,
also encompasses Islamic extremists and tribesmen.Photo credit: Houthi
insurgents in Yemeni capital of Sanaa (Sky News)

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